The Texas A&M fifth-year senior southpaw grew up in Bellaire and helped Bellaire High School win a state championship in 1999. He moved on to Rice, where he contributed to the 2003 national championship team.

Arm surgery his junior year put Ueckert in a tough spot. With a chance of seeing reduced playing time, along with other unspecified reasons, he thought it best for him and Rice to part ways.

“I felt like it was the right thing,” said Ueckert. “I love it here (at A&M). I feel like ultimately it worked out for both sides.”

He didn’t get to play this past weekend during the Aggies’ loss to the Owls in the Houston Super Regional. Still, he enjoyed seeing his old stomping grounds.

“I had some good years here,” said Ueckert, who added he doesn’t hold any grudges and still converses with a few elder members of the Rice team. “I was part of a national championship team and got to play in Omaha, so I have a lot of good memories.”